A starter stopper for use with a high intensity discharge (HID) lighting source includes a timer and switch. The timer controls the durations of on-time and off-time periods during an energizing period. The starter stopper connects the HID lighting source to power to start the HID lighting source during on-time periods, and disconnects the HID lighting source from the power to start the HID lighting source during off-time periods. A method of starting and stopping an HID lighting source includes initiating an energizing period in response to application of power to a starter stopper, enabling the HID lighting source to be connected to power to start the HID lighting source during on-time periods by the starter stopper, enabling the HID lighting source to be disconnected from the power to start the HID lighting source during off-time periods by the starter stopper, and stopping the energizing period in response to removal of the power to the starter stopper.